Stakeholders meet to discuss matters that affect Alex
Residents of Alexandra come together to find common ground and to resolve issues in a peaceful manner.
Forty-four civil society stakeholders lent their support to the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation as it seeks to bring peace to the troubled township of Alexandra.
The stakeholders came together at San Kopano Centre to address the issues that affect the community.
Happiness Nkosi, a community consultant at the organisation said they would work with the stakeholders to identify problems in the community and help deal with them peacefully as they aim for a violence-free Alexandra.
Colleague Tsamme Mfundisi said sexual and gender-based violence would be the first issues they would address. “As much as we know gender-based violence mostly affects women and children, we will include men as they also experience this violence,” said Mfundisi.
Stakeholder Jacky Segopa, the secretary-general of the Alexandra Land and Property Owners Association raised the issue of illegal buildings. Ward councillors said the issues of backyard abortions, drug abuse, poor service delivery, and the high crime rate should be addressed.
Ward 108 councillor Deborah Francisco also touched on illegal buildings and the recent stabbings of learners at Pholosho Junior Secondary School. Zandile Mothopi of Ward 76 raised concerns about the safety of schoolchildren who attend schools on London Road. “We are worried about the safety of the kids as there are so many robberies and fatalities reported on that road,” she said.
Social worker and manager of Alex Kidz Clinic Elizabeth Mokoena addressed child abuse issues which she said were rampant in the township.
Duduzile Mthembu of Peace Gatherers at KwaMadala Hostel bemoaned the rising incidents of robberies which she said were making the hostel a notoriously dangerous place.
Alex Peace Ambassador Thabo Mopasi said the way forward was to build a strong partnership with the community and introduce programmes that would help to reduce violence and encourage peace and reconciliation among the people.
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